Premier League Confirms 17 June Restart

The Premier League will return on 17 June, it has been confirmed.

Writing on Twitter, the Premier League announced that teams would resume the season following over two months of lockdown.

The statement read: "Premier League Shareholders today agreed to a new provisional restart date for the 2019/20 season of Wednesday 17 June, provided that all safety requirements are in place."

As part of the move, every single one of the remaining 92 games will be broadcast live on television - including, for the first time ever, on the BBC.

When matches do return, it will be the first time since 9 March that teams have competed against each other in the top-flight.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Today we have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday 17 June.

"But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.

"Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.

"The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters. It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.

PA

"We will continue to work step-by-step and in consultation with all our stakeholders as we move towards resuming the 2019/20 season."

Sky has also announced that 25 of the 64 games it has the rights to will be 'free to air'.

BT Sport and Amazon Prime will also broadcast matches.

Commenting on the announcement, the Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater said: "This opportunity creates an historic moment for the BBC and our audiences.

"At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of lift, this is very welcome news."

Weekend matches will be scheduled as follows (all times BST):

Friday 20:00
Saturday 12:30, 15:00, 17:30; 20:00
Sunday 12:00, 14:00, 16:30; 19:00
Monday 20:00

Midweek matches will be scheduled as follows (all times BST):
Tuesday 18:00; 20:00
Wednesday 18:00; 20:00
Thursday 18:00; 20:00

Topics: SPORT, UK News

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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